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Last month marked two years since Panama Tropical Race 4 (TR4) was first detected in Queensland’s Far North, on a farm in the Tully Valley. As the anniversary neared, leading banana researchers from a...

A growing number of Australian banana growers have discovered just how quick and easy record keeping can be thanks the specially-designed BetterBunch app, launched last year.
Developed by the Australi...

By Paula Doran
If ever there was a story to inspire ‘thinking outside the box,’ it’s a company initiated in the suburbs of Melbourne by the name of The Fruit Box.
What began as a delivery service of f...

In recent months, Australian Bananas have been everywhere! On our small screens, city streets, shopping centres and even our mobile phones! And, we are about to see even more of them. Hort Innovation ...

Growers facing financial hardship are being urged to make the most of free financial counselling on offer, which could provide vital assistance to see them through difficult times.
Rural financial co...

By Sonia Campbell
When Tablelands banana grower Dennis Howe was looking to employ someone to help manage his family’s ever-growing agribusiness, he took a punt on pint-sized accountant Kim Mastin.
She...

By Sonia Campbell
When Doug Phillips took on the role of Chair of the Australian Banana Growers’ Council (ABGC), he had no idea the challenges that would lie ahead.
He stepped into the role at a time ...

The departure of Doug Phillips as Chair of the Australian Banana Growers’ Council (ABGC) in November signalled a significant changing of the guard for the council.
Mr Phillips stood down from the helm...

Banana farming brothers Matt and Ben Abbott, of Rabbits Organics, will use funding received in the latest round of Reef Trust grants to trial an under-tree slasher, that has never previously been used...

More growers are about to benefit from Commonwealth funding designed to assist growers to make on-farm practice changes that reduce their environmental footprint on the Great Barrier Reef. Sonia Campb...

By Rosie Godwin
Banana Freckle (Phyllosticta cavendishii) was detected in Northern Territory (NT) in 2013, and a response has been underway since then. Banana Freckle affects non-Cavendish and Cavendi...

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Queensland (DAF) will soon launch a new project aimed at protecting the banana industry from pests and diseases, well into the future.
The Improved Plant Pr...

The Banana Plant Protection Program, led by Professor André Drenth — conducted from November 2011 to December 2016 — was one of the banana industry’s largest research programs. Here, Prof Drenth take...

After a delayed start due to an outbreak of Freckle Disease, a disease screening trial of Fusarium wilt Tropical Race 4 (TR4) in the Northern Territory (NT) is gaining ground, in the ongoing search to...

In 2017, the Quality Banana Approved Nursery (QBAN) Scheme will be updated and transferred from a state government regulated scheme to a scheme run by a partnership between the Australian Banana Growe...

Tristan Kitchener, of Kitchener Partners, discusses the anticipated entry of Amazon into Australia, and what their grocery and fresh foods offering could mean for the supermarket industry, and the que...

Eradication of the Banana Freckle disease in the Northern Territory is right on track, according to outgoing State Co-ordinator Kevin Cooper. Here, he brings us up to date with the latest developments...

Banana Industry Water Quality Strategy

The banana industry has a great reputation for adopting environmental best management practices. The majority of growers respect the natural environment and the Great Barrier Reef and understand the impact their farming can have on the quality of water in local catchments.

The North Queensland banana industry Water Quality Strategy 2017-2020 has been written with a focus on extension and working with growers to help them improve their adoption of nutrient and sediment management practices.